The Chael Sonnen Saga Takes Another Twist

A day after the California State Athletic Commission claimed the earliest UFC middleweight Chael Sonnen could reapply for his license was May of 2012, the committee issued a press release Friday stating they failed to carefully read the fine print surrounding Title 4 Rule 399. The controversial fighter is now eligible to reapply for sanctioning with any athletic commission, including Cali, when his license expires in the Sunshine State on June 29th 2011.

Rule 399 states any applicant who has been denied a license or has had their license revoked aren’t permitted to file a similar application until one year from the date of rejection. However, the rule does not pertain to suspensions.

Because Sonnen was issued an “indefinite suspension,” the 34-year-old will be allowed to reapply for licensing next month.

Sonnen will need to appear before the CSAC should he decide to apply in the state that banned him. If the board rejects his application, he will then have to wait one year from the date of the denial to try again.

It is unknown whether Sonnen will be required to meet with commission members from each state he applies.

Sonnen was required to face the firing squad Thursday to answer questions regarding the inconsistent statements he made at his UFC 117 drug hearing in December, as well as his role in a money laundering scam in which he plead guilty.

He claimed at the hearing UFC president Dana White would end his career if he didn’t leave Downtown LA with the commission’s blessing. He also revealed he has a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to coach the upcoming season of “The Ultimate Fighter” opposite Michael Bisping, with the victor of their bout advancing to challenge champ Anderson Silva for his title.

The CSAC wasn’t interested in Sonnen’s life-altering opportunities and quickly voted to have his suspension upheld.